Kilo Lingo

Ch 27 路 Lesson 16

Verbs of becoming: ponerse or volverse

Spanish has no single 'to become'. for a passing state ( ), for a lasting change ( ).

The short version

passes, sticks

.

He went red.
Why?

There is no all-purpose 'become', so sort by the kind of change first. is the passing mood or state, back to normal within the hour: , . is the deep, lasting shift of character: , . lifts; does not.

The verbs of becoming on one screen

ponerse, a passing statevolverse, a lasting changehacerse, effort or processconvertirse en, a transformationWhat do the colours mean?
VerbAfter itThe kind of change
adjectivesudden, passing
adjective, mostlydeep, lasting
adjective, nouneffort or process; jobs, beliefs
nouna transformation
a nounthe end of a long climb
adjectivethe state an event leaves
VerbSpanishEnglish
.He got nervous.
.He became very serious.
.She became a lawyer.
.She became a star.
a .He went on to be president.
.He was left alone.

Pick by the kind of change, never by the English word: "went red", "went mad" and "became a doctor" are three different verbs.

Ponerse: a sudden, passing change

ponerse, a passing stateWhat do the colours mean?

+ adjective is a mood, a colour or a physical state that comes on fast and passes:

UseSpanishEnglish
a blush .He went red.
nerves .I get nervous before an exam.
delight .She was really pleased with the present.
a command .Don't be sad.
the sun .You' got very tanned.

The adjective agrees with the person: (he), (she). never takes a noun such as a job: never " ".

Volverse: a deep, lasting change

ponerse, a passing statevolverse, a lasting changeWhat do the colours mean?

also takes an adjective, but the change sticks: it reshapes who someone is, usually without their choosing it.

A passing moodWho he is now
  1. Se puso serio.for a moment
  2. Se ha vuelto serio.and it has stuck
  3. Es serio.that is just him
UseSpanishEnglish
the mind .He went mad.
character .He has become very serious.
a place .The city has become dangerous.
over years .Over the years he grew more tolerant.

One adjective, two verbs, two meanings:

  • . - He/She got sad (and it will lift).
  • . - He/She has become a sad person.

Going further: Hacerse: effort, process, jobs and beliefs and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.

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Lesson 16 of 28 in this chapter

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What do the colours mean?